Waiting On That Moment: CB Josh Victorian Is Ready To Learn And Grow With The Lions

After being released from the Houston Texans in late August, cornerback Josh Victorian wasn’t exactly sure, where his next NFL home would be for the 2014 season. However, after making a good impression during Tuesday’s workout with the Detroit Lions, Victorian finally found his new home on the Lions practice squad.

“I was actually about to do a workout in Kansas City, when I got the call (from the Lions.)” Victorian said. “So I had to get on flight and come here to (Detroit) and I’m happy to be here.”

The former Louisiana Tech standout, has certainly been around his fair share of talented defenses. He was originally an un-drafted free agent signed by Baltimore in 2011. During his time with Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2012, he played four games and recorded 10 tackles and defended two passes. Then, last season, he played eight games with the Houston Texans, where he recorded five tackles in special teams.

While, he admits that each defense, has its own style and toughness, Victorian says he considers the Lions defense to be unique.

“This Lions defense is unique — because these guys, all run near the ball and force turnovers. They have great corners so they can pretty much play anything and I like being around these guys.”

“(Plus), it’s always great when you can learn from the older guys and learning from those guys, is only going to make you better. Back in Houston, I learned a lot from GQ (Glover Quin) and to now be around him and other veterans like Rashean (Mathis) is great. So it feels great coming here and I’m happy to be here.”

The Lions are certainly happy to have him here. Back when he was with the Steelers, BehindTheSteelCurtain.com described him as one of the hardest workers on the field.

Victorian may not be the biggest, fastest or most talented defensive back the league has ever seen, but there is a reason teams just can’t let him go. He works hard. He listens to his coaches. He gives everything he has, on every snap; and he can sniff out a football in a hurricane.

Another trait which helped set Victorian apart from his peers was his ability to motivate himself, even when things weren’t going so gravy.

Victorian doesn’t just need football; he wants football.

“My work ethic is always the same.” Victorian said. “I’m always going to work hard, no matter where I am. Coming from, where I coming from, it’s tough down in New Orleans. So you have to work hard for everything you get and it’s no different now. I’m just going to continue to work hard and try to move my way up from there.”

Considering the Lions recent injury issues in the secondary, we could very well see Victorian move up the ranks quite quickly. We saw something similar take place last week, when cornerback Mohammed Seisay was promoted from the practice squad to the main roster.

“It’s exciting (to know your number could be called upon at any moment). Victorian replied. “So I just try to learn as much as I can each day because I never know when my number will be called.”

When it comes to the secondary, the main area to watch is the nickelback position. The Lions have already lost cornerbacks Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson for the season, who were the original starting and back-up nickel backs respectively. Then to make matter worse, cornerback Casssius Vaughn, who is also a nickel-back option has been hurt for the last week, causing him to miss last week’s game against Green Bay and be held out of practice all this week.

Although, the nickel back position is new to Victorian, he says he feels comfortable playing at the nickel position if that’s what the Lions need him to play.

“The nickel is actually a totally different world from playing outside at cornerback.” Victorian said. “It’s more compact and the more mistakes you make there, the more people who are going to notice. While I wouldn’t say I feel extremely comfortable, because I just started playing the nickel this past year. I feel comfortable enough to where I feel can make some plays there, while still learning.

“So it’s tough, but it’s also exciting.”

One thing’s for sure, Victorian will certainly bring plenty of excitement on and off the field to this talented Lions team, as he begins to work his way from the practice squad to the main roster.

“On a personal level, I bring a little excitement and try to make the guys laugh a lot, off the field.” Victorian replied. “On the field, I’m versatile, I can play the nickel, I can play corner and I’m a special teams guru. So, I feel like whatever they need me to do, I can do.

“So I for now, I will just go out there and compete each day and hopefully continue to get better.”

Written by LBeasley (Lauren Beasley), Sports Editor of Radio One Detroit